Fermanagh offer Cork a chance to get back on track

Yet, while there is no need to be unduly alarmed by the fact that Peadar Healy’s men, installed as ante-post favourites to top the group, are still seeking a win in the league, their feeble showing against Kildare has to be a source of concern at the same time, suggesting that the inconsistency which led to their relegation last season is an issue that hasn’t been resolved.

In the circumstances, it’s vitally important that Cork deliver the goods in their first home game against Fermanagh next Sunday, and they would have to be fancied to come up trumps if they put their best foot forward.

Mindful of what happened in Round 3 last year against Roscommon, however, it can be safely said that Cork supporters won’t be taking anything for granted, as the team, on a similar mission of atonement following their slump to Donegal in their previous outing, failed dismally to produce the desired response on that occasion.

There is little danger that Fermanagh will run riot in the way that Roscommon did at Pairc Uí Rinn 12 months ago, but they must be treated with a certain amount of respect, given that they enjoyed a decent championship last year, winning two of their four games.

That they weren’t overwhelmed when going under to Donegal by seven points in Ulster and to Mayo by five points in the All-Ireland qualifiers suggests they are moving in the right direction under the stewardship of Pete McGrath, even if they haven’t exactly set the world on fire in the league up to now.

True, they got off to a winning start on the road against Down, but the Mourne County men, beaten by Clare in Round 2, are now on a losing streak of 14 games between league and championship, having claimed their last victory in a league tie against Laois in 2015.

Taking that into account, Fermanagh’s win over a team that looks destined to endure the ignominy of relegation in successive seasons was nothing to write home about, and their six-point loss to Galway on their home patch in Brewster Park last time out means the Ernesiders will hardly be brimming with optimism ahead of their trip to Leeside.

All the pressure will be on Cork next Sunday, however, as anything less than a win would leave them with a major uphill battle on their hands in terms of qualification for the Division 2 final.

It remains to be seen how they will cope, but, notwithstanding their recurring problem in regard to performing to their potential on a regular basis, the odds are they will rise to the challenge, especially since their home record in the league overall in recent seasons has been fairly impressive.

Verdict: Cork